Ox happy to be involved

The Arsenal youngster started England's first game against France at the European Championship but then had to be content with coming on from the bench in the remaining group games.

The 19-year-old was not involved at all as England crashed out to Italy in a penalty shoot-out at the quarter-final stage but insists his summer experience was more than he had hoped for.

Speaking ahead of England's opening World Cup qualifier in Moldova on Friday, Oxlade-Chamberlain said: "You always want to play. If I look back now I didn't think I'd be involved half as much as I was.

"I wasn't expecting to start games. I just thought I'd be going there to gain experience from the likes of Steven Gerrard.

"So to even get the nod to start a game was a massive honour for me.

"Obviously when you do start a game you want to keep playing and keep playing. If you didn't have that about you I think there'd be something wrong.

"But I was just ready to come on at any point and if I wasn't needed then that's good enough for me as well."

Trust

Far from disappointed, the former Southampton player was grateful to England boss Roy Hodgson for his support and encouragement.

"When you come into these environments you need to be willing to work hard," he added.

"With Roy, the manager, he wants players like me to come in and try things. For him to put trust in us attacking players is really good and lets us express ourselves."

England go into the Moldova clash without Wayne Rooney and Andy Carroll who miss out through injury but Oxlade-Chamberlain believes scoring goals is a team effort.

He said: "We've all got massive responsibility on our shoulders but I think there are goals all over the team.

"I think in the last game (against Italy) Phil Jagielka scored didn't he? So there's goals from centre-back from set-plays as well."